Find chewy udon noodles paired with various broths and toppings at Mont Kiara's Miyatake Sanuki Udon
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — This Japanese udon place may not be new, having opened since 2022 but it somehow escaped my radar.
That's until a friend chose it for dinner one night, opening up a Pandora box of slurp worthy udon.
In fact, the first selling point for this venue is the ample parking.
In Mont Kiara where every square inch is a high rise condominium or a commercial property, it's refreshing to find this spot with a large open air carpark that is free!
Maybe that's why it's advisable you book a table here as it's flooded with diners. Even going early at 6pm (when they open) means it is half full and you get ushered to the counter if you don’t have a booking.
Service is incredibly efficient especially on weekends. Order your meal via their e-menu and it hits your table in record time.
Within 40 to 60 minutes, you're done and there are people waiting to take your spot the moment you leave your seat.
Sitting at the counter offers you a bird’s eye view of the open kitchen, where all the action is, at the different food stations.
The classic Nabeyaki Udon is one of the best ways to enjoy the thick udon with a tempura prawn, Japanese fish cake and an egg yolk (left). For something substantial, try the Tonkatsu Curry Udon with curry pork and a big piece of breaded, deep fried pork cutlet (right).
There's just one guy boiling the freshly made udon with his timers — gently coiling the white plump strands — into bowls. That goes to the next station, where a broth or curry is spooned into the bowl with toppings added and served to you.
You also have the frying station where they bring out light, crispy tempura like the superb tempura prawns or their gigantic tori kaarage.
There's also another station cutting up sashimi while a pot filled with oden is bubbling away.
The light and sweet tasting broth with clams, cabbage and seaweed makes this Asari Kinoko Udon incredibly satisfying.
Their handmade Sanuki udon with its hallmark chewiness is celebrated in a multitude of ways.
You have the traditional way where one enjoys the handmade udon with minimum toppings to enjoy the texture of the noodles.
Here, it can be ordered with a clear broth, toppings like a choice of spring onions, wakame or seasoned aburaage. Or slurp it down, chilled with an egg yolk or grated radish with sudachi.
For a tingling experience, go for the Karamiso Pork Udon that is spicy stuff (left). The Tori Karaage is one of a kind as it's served in huge pieces where the highlight is juicy meat inside and a crunchy exterior (right).
Tempura prawns are addictive with their light crispy batter.
For those seeking variety, there's also a choice of curry, cream and even a spicy miso broth. You get to choose various toppings too with tempura, tonkatsu, meat or seafood.
The classic Nabeyaki Udon (RM28) is the most satisfying choice. It is topped with an egg yolk, so break that to give the clear broth a creamier, richer taste. You have one piece of tempura prawn, shiitake mushroom and Japanese fish cake.
Bovine fans can go for the Beef Udon (RM30) where sliced tender beef gives a richer taste to the broth. There's also sliced onions adding a touch of sweetness to the whole bowl.
Sit at the counter and enjoy the show going on in their open kitchen.
If you prefer a cleaner taste with the chewy noodles, the Asari Kinoko Udon (RM28) is a good choice too. You don't get that many clams though but the sweet tasting broth makes up for that. It is topped with cabbage and seaweed.
For those who seek a stronger taste, the curry series will be a great choice. The basic bowl is paired with a thick curry pork. You can get various toppings like a sprinkle of grated cheese, kaarage or tempura prawns.
As I was hungry after driving through the rain and traffic, I went for the Tonkatsu Curry Udon (RM34), which came with a juicy piece of pork cutlet.
Just after it is opened, the place will start filling up on a weekend with families.
And if it's a spicy thrill you're looking for, order the Karamiso Pork Udon (RM30). It will definitely tingle your taste buds with its heat.
As there's an extensive tempura menu here too, you can also order tendon (tempura rice bowl) and the classic oyakodon. There's also curry rice too.
The tempura here is excellent. Go for the Tempura Prawns (RM33 for five pieces). You can customise it with flavoured salt too, but I prefer it without any. The crunchy prawns are coated with a light, crispy batter that makes you eat the whole plate yourself.
It's best to come up from Publika and drive towards Solaris Mont Kiara to get to this restaurant which is located on the side road.
Many fans have raved about their Tori Karaage. When it hits your table, you understand why. Here you get giant pieces of karaage with a crunchy skin that hides juicy meat. These fill you up quickly so it's a substantial meal with your bowl of udon. You can order three pieces of Tori Karaage for RM21 or five pieces for RM35.
If you prefer sashimi or appetisers to snack on before your udon, there's simple bites like wasabi octopus, celery pickles, fried chilli pepper and more.
Miyatake Sanuki Udon, LG3-1, Duta Kiara Residences, 7, Jalan Duta Hartamas, Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. Open: 11.30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm. Tel:03-64136537. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miyatakesanukiudon.malaysia/
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